March 11 started out as another ordinary Friday at Kamaishi East Junior High School, which stands by the mouth of the Unosumai River that runs through the city into Otsuchi Bay. Classes were over for the day and students were about to start their after-school club activities when the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck at 2:46 p.m.
Vice Headmaster Yoko Murakami was at her desk in the faculty room when the office began to shake, knocking everything to the floor.
"It was the first time in my teaching career that I hid under my desk," said the 53-year-old educator. "The temblor was really strong. It was nothing like past earthquakes I've experienced."